Combined heat sealing apparatus, code printer, and punch



May 20 l952 J. J. GREVICH 2,597,634

COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed DSO. 4, 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY May 20, 1952 J. J. GREVICH 2,597,634

COMBINED HEATiSEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed Dec. 4, 1950 1l Sheets-SheerI 2 FIG- 3 INVENTOR. JOHN J- GREVICH ATTORNEY May 20, l952 J. J. GREvlcH 2,597,634

COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed Dec. 4, 1950 l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4 HG. 5

FIG. 7

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INVENTOR.

JOHN J. GREVICH ATTORNEY 1l Sheets-Sheet 4 J. J. GREVICH lllullLlL May 20, 1952 COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed DSC. 4, 1950 J. J. GREVICH May Y20, 1952 COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 4, 1950 ATTE INIENTOR JOHN J. GREVICH ATTORNEY LII. m. AIT E S LIM- w @S Ll: v

.THIS

May 20 1952 J. J. GREvlcH 2,597,634

COMBINED HEAT s'EALTNG APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed Deo. 4, 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG- 12 v amy IN VEN TOR.

JOHN J. GREVICH ATTORNEY May 20, 1952 J. J. GREvlcH 2,597,634

COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec. 4, 1950 Y im;

Deo s mou. S

lllllllIll llllll Il IlI t JOHN J- GREVICH ATTORNEY May 20, 1952 J. J. GREvlcH 2,597,634

COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed Dec. 4, 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG- 17 24e l l 241 IN V EN TOR.

JOHN J. GREvlch May 20, 1952 J. J. GRI-:vlcl-l 2,597,634

COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed Dsc. 4, 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG- INVEN TOR.

JOHN J- GREVICH ATTORNEY J. J. GREVICH May 20, 1952 COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH ll Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Dec. 4. 1950 m- .OE

INVENToR.

- JOHN J. GREvlcl-l wml oww ATTOR N EY mmm May 20, 1952 J. J. GREvlcH 2,597,634

COMBINED HEAT SEALING APPARATUS, CODE PRINTER, AND PUNCH Filed Dec. 4, 1950 1l Sheets-Sheet 11.

192 A @5 d 6I 171 319 357 364? i ,C 2 I l| `273 {358 zow-1 2367 romy.

326 PUNCH cmcurr F`336 331V INVENTOR.

JOHN J. GREv1c1-l BY 332` 67 ATTORNEY Patented May 20, 1952 unire!) sr-Ares agraria erica "COIVIBINED HEAT. SEALI-NG "APPARATUS, vCQDE PRINTER, AND PUNCH .John -J. .Gre'vicln St. Paul, rMinn., assignonby 'mesneassignmenta to HarrisTrust and Savings "Bankand W; H. 'Milsted, 'ias trustees Application December 4, 1950, Serial No. 199,009

(Cl.V 154-42) l `ce claims.

1.1 -This i invention-"relates to y lthermoplastics .and :more particularly yto an apparatus for sealing .theopenends of containers formed offa thermoplasticmaterial, applying a" coded ydating stamp .-toesuchi.containerscand if fdesired, :punching a `hole'in ythe sealedportion .of the container. in

order-to provide fa convenient supporting .means therefor.

VlE-Ieretofore fmanysealing machines of this type have .been developed. .and utilized .but attempts to. combinetherewith,printing means and punching -meansor l'either of these have resulted in .complicated .cumbersome devices which have .been relatively expensive .tozmanufacture and which-.have been subject to frequent breakdowns necessitating frequent .stoppages in order to properly repair the` same, thereby contributing Ato .unnecessarily high production costs.

Briefly stated, the apparatus of this invention ...comprises a heat-sealing machine of `the rotary type which utilizes. heated rolls yto Aseal .the .openings. of containers. constructed of thermoplastic material.

There .is also provided a feeding means `for conveying the containers through the .sealingrolls and for insuring thatthereis no relative Hmovement between the containers and .suchv rolls which would tendto result in .an im- .properseal .and .damagedcontainers Since with some types Aand thicknesses. of material the mere contact between the sealing rolls and the materialis not sui-licient toproduce aneiiicient seal,

,preheating means in the form of elongated heatedbarsis providedwhichserves to preheat the material prior ,to contact with the sealing rolls. .Automatic temperature control means is .provided both for the-preheatingmeans .and for mach-ine directly after the dating apparatus.

This punching -means is electrically operated and is controlled by contactfof -rthevcontainers with a switch which l.actuates the punching means-to provide. a cleanly punched-.1101s in .the

sealedportion-of *the container. Means is -also provided to .permito-punching of these-holes -during movement of the container and Without tearing or Amutilation of the same.

With some types of materials it is necessary to "retain the vsealed portions in tight pressure contact `for .Va-'period afterfpassing through the sealing rolls-and for accommodating this type .of material means may be provided in the rapparatus of Athis invention-gto hold these sealed edges in'contact andto lcool the same, thus resulting in a rm, efficient seal. Y

The invention furthervcontemplates complete .andl eilcient one-manfoperation, automatic control .f temperatures and manual control of speeds in -order toproperly synchronize theseal.- ing operationswith the typesof material being utilized. Also, the apparatus is adjustable` as to height in vorder to accommodatedifierent sizes of containers .passingtherebeneath .and .preferably conveyed'by af-belt situated on .a table. positioned .immediatelybeneath and adjacent vthe sealing apparatus.

.It isaccordingly 'anobject of this invention to .providea heat-sealing apparatus .of therotary type in which means'is provided to feed containers formed of thermoplastic material he-l tween sealing'rolls andtOinSure that the speed of travel of the containers is synchronized with the "speed of rotation ofthe sealing rolls.

Itis av further object of theinvention to .provide sealing means combined with printing means andirrwhich the printing. meansis automati'cally controlled .by contact f a control -means with thev containers passing through the sealing machine.

Itis 'a Vfurther object f the inventionto vprovided a sealing apparatus combined with a punching meansforproviding yan aperture in the sealed portion of the container and in which .actuation of Vthepunching means is controlled by .movement of the containers through the sealing apparatus.

It is a furtherk object of the invention .to provide-a heat-sealing apparatus in which vmeans is included `for preheating the openings 'of the containers prior to contact with the sealing rolls in order to effect a firm and efficient seal.

Itis afurther object of the inventionto .provide 'a heat-sealingapparatus in which means is provided fior Aretaining the sea-led portions of the container in vtight pressure--contactfor a predetermined. periodsubsequent. to contactwith the. heated- :sealing rolls.

It is a furtherand .important cbjectof vthe invention to provide a heat-sealing apparatus which is relatively simple and economical to manufacture and which may be operated at a relatively high speed Without danger of clogging or breakage and in which the sealing operations are synchronized with printing and punching of an aperture in the sealed portion of the container.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: i

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the sealing apparatus of this invention installed in corrjunction with a feeding means and the manner of feeding containers to and from the sealing-apparatus; i'

Fig. 2. is a top plan view of the sealing apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 3, a top plan view of the sealing apparatus of this invention withthe housings removed in order to afford a'clear view of the mechanism involved;

Fig. 4, a sectional view on the line 4-,4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a sectional view on the line -5 of Fig. 3 and showingrthe printing mechanism utilized in conjunction with the sealing apparatus of this invention; l

Fig. 6, a fragmentary detailed plan view showing the solenoid control means for the printing apparatus of this invention; j

Fig. 7, a fragmentary sectional view on the line 'I-l of Fig. 3 with parts in elevation for greater clarity and showing the arrangement of the sealing rolls and drive means therefor together with the means for retaining the sealing rolls in pressure engagement; L

Fig. 8, an elevational view showing the control panel of the apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 9, a fragmentary sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 3 and showing the internal construction of the sealing rolls, the shafts supporting the same and the installation of the drive motor and reduction gear for driving the sealing rolls and feeding apparatus;

Fig. 10, a fragmentary plan view with parts in section for greater clarity` and showing the feeding mechanism at the entrance side of the apparatus' together with the folding means forthe containers to be sealed as well as the preheating mechanism for heatingthe mouth portionsof the containers prior to contact with the sealing rolls;

Fig. 11, a sectional view on the line II-II of Fig. and showing the internal construction of theqpreheating means and its relationship to the feeding means;

Fig. 12, a sectional view on the line I2-I2 of Fig. l0 and showing one portion of the folding means;

Fig. 13, a sectional view on the line I3--I3vof Fig. 10 and showing another portion of the folding means;

Fig. 14, a sectional view on the line I4-I4 of Fig. .10 and showing the entrance to the folding means and the relationship of the feeding means thereto;

Fig. 15, a fragmentary top plan view showing a punching means combined with the sealing apparatus of this invention and further showing the relationship between the punching means and the sealing rolls;

Fig. 16, a fragmentary sectional view on the line |6-I6 of Fig. 15 and showing the internal construction of the punching means;

Fig. 17. a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 16 and showing the manner in which an aperture is punched in the-sealed portion of a container;

Fig. 18, a fragmentary top plan view showing a printing means and a punching means combined with the sealing apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 19, a fragmentary top plan View similar to Fig. 18 and showing a punching means and a pressure means for retaining the sealed portions of the container in contact after uniting by the sealing rolls;

I Fig. 20, a sectional view on the line 20-29 of Fig. 19 and showing the means for retaining the sealed portions of the container in contact; and

' Fig. 21, a circuit diagram of the electrical circuit of the apparatus of this invention.

' With continued reference to the drawings there isshown in Fig. 1 a heat-sealing apparatus constructed inV accordance with this invention, this apparatus 'I0 being mounted 0n a pedestal or' standard II'which may be secured in place on the' floor ofthe building in which the apparatusfisto lbe operated, the height of the sealing mechanism'l above the floor being conveniently controlled by a hand-wheel I2 provided with a crankl I3 which may be conveniently engaged by the hand-,of the operator. The specific mechanism for accomplishing the height adjustment of thef's'ealing'mechanism will be later described. The 'sealing apparatus I 0 may also be provided with housings I4 secured to the apparatus by hinges I5 tovpermit convenient movement of the housings when it is necessary to make adjustments "and in caseY it is necessary to make extensive repairs, the complete housing may be removed in" order to afford convenient access to the apparatus. f

Qne typical operation utilizing the heat-sealing apparatusl I0 of this invention is shown in Fig. l, in which a table I 6 provided with a conveyor belt I'I driven ,by mechanism enclosed in a housing I8 at one end thereof serves to feed containers I9 formed ofjthermoplastic material to the sealing apparatus and to convey the sealed containers therefrom.' In order to prevent displacement of the containers I9 prior to engagement with the feedingmeans incorporated in the sealing apparatus I0, there may be provided guide rails 2B adjustably supported on rods 2I whereby different sized containers I9 may be accommodated, the rails 2D being, adjustable both as to height and spacing in order` to take care of such containers. The speed of travel of the conveyor belt I may be conveniently controlled by a finger-engaging knob 22 projecting from the housing I8 which contains the conveyor drive means.

Referring to Fig. 9, there is shown the upper portion of the pedestal or supporting column II and telescopicallyreceived over this column is a sleeve 23 which serves to support the sealing apparatus. Threadedly received in the upper portion ofthe column I I is an elongated threaded rod 24 upon the upper end of which is mounted the control or hand-wheel I2. Hand-wheel I2 is secured against axial movement in the sleeve 23,'and, consequently, rotation thereof in either direction will serve to turn the threaded rod 24 in the threaded portion of the column II and thus move the sealing mechanism I0 upwardly or downwardly vin, accordance with the desired height above the floor.

With continuedA reference to Fig. 9, there is shown a bracket 25 pivotally mounted at 25 on f5 the sleeve 23, this bracket havinga slottedv extension 21 engaged bya yclamping nut '25 threadedly receivedon-a rod 29 projecting frim'rthe sleeve 23,nut 2,3 lserving to clamp the .slotted portion 21 and the bracket 25 in adjustedangular position. Carried by the bracket 25 and secured thereto by screw-threaded fastening meansior the like 29 isa drive motor .35 Which, *as best shown in.F.ig.,3, carries Va Vepulley `3l mounted on the .drive `shaft thereof. The V-pulley.',3l is comprised of two parts, the outer Vpart 372 thereof being threadedly received on a. portion V33 which forms the hub ofthe pulley wherebyupon rotation of the-nertZ uren .thehun ethe. distance betweentne parte f the pulley may be varied to adjust the effective 'diameter thereof, thus,

controlling the speedofrotation of the jdriven mechanism. The Yparts of the pulley V3| :may beloked in adjusted position by a headless set screw or the like .34.

Pulley 3| is connected through a V -belt 3,5 with a pulley 35 mounted on a shaftl'l which extends into and drives a speed-reducing mechanism` 58 mounted on the sleeve 23 by screw-,threaded fastening means vor the like 3e. Speed-reducing mechanism 338 is provided with a power output shaft 45 projecting vertically from the top thereof and mounted on this shaft 48 is a drive sprocket 4i.

Vertically spaced parallel frame members 472 and 143 respectively are secured to the sleeve Z3 by weld-ing or the like and extend substantially at right angles thereto on the opposite side from the motor 35 and speed-reducing mechanism v38. Extending vertically through the frame members 42 and 45 and supported thereby in spaced parallel relation are front and rear roll-supporting shafts 44 and 45. The rear roll shaft 45 is rotatably carried by frame members 42 and 45 by means of anti-friction bearings 45. The front roll supporting shaft 44 is carried adjacent the upper end in the upper frame member 42Vby means of an anti-friction bearing 4'! received in an elongated recess 43 in the frame member 42. The rear side of the anti-friction bearing 41 is engaged by a compression spring t49 received in a recess 5b in the frame member '42, spring 49 serving to urge the anti-friction bearing 41 and shaftv44 carried thereby toward the front of the machine. The position of the bearing .4l in recess :4B-is controlled bya set screw l received in an aperture 52 in the outer end of the upper frame member 42. 'The operation and purpose of .this adjustment by Vmeans of the set screw 5i will' be later described.

The lower end offrent roll shaft 44 is supported by an anti-friction bearing 53 received inV an elongated recess Y54 in the lower surface @flower frame member '43. Bearing 53 is free to move forwardly or rearwardly in the recess v542i fora purpose to be presentlydescribed and bearing 53 and shaft 44 carriedthereby is normally urged rearwardly into the recess 54 by a spring loaded adjusting rod 55 having a reduced forward-p0rtion 55 slidably received in an aperture-'l-in the front end of the frame member 45. Rod55 has a screw-threaded portion 53 received in a cross bar55 which in tarn is slidably mounted on spaced parallel rods 15) which are fixed in the outer end of frame member 43. Also received on rod 5G are coil compression springs 5i which engage the cross bar 5s, springs (il being *also engagedby the-wing nuts E52 threadedly received on the Arod 55 whereby the compressive force exerted by springs 5i Amay be adjusted. The

, i(,- rod.. 55 is Lprovided ,with annger-,engagine yknob E3 tofacilitate convenient adjustment thereofand it will be seenthatby rotating rod 5.5,the force exerted o nk the yantiffriction bearings inarear- Ward direction andwhich tends vto urgethe shaft 44 `and parts carried thereby in .thesame direction mayv be, ,conveniently controlled, the force of; this pressure being Acontrolled bythe .wing nutstZ bearing on 4th.e,.cornpression springs-6 L Shafts v44 andil serve tosupportatthein lower ends frontend rear see1iner0l1s4end65 respectively. Roll 551s provided with aserreted sealing surface :GS and e heating element 61.. is received in. an .internal annular recess 168. The heating element 6l is, held innostion bv screwtbreeded'festenins means Orthe. like 69 extendins threuen a. reef .i plate .10, the .complete rear surface Vof'rtheiroll 65 being covered by a housing "Il, j Roll 65 is provided adjacentits Ylowerend ivthajshoulder l2 and a ,spaced annularflange 73 which provides therebetween .an ,annular groove '74 the purpose .of which will be later described. The supportingshaft 45 is hollowand the roll is Asupported thereon by a screwthreaded fastening means or the like 'iinengagernent witha threadedportion of .such shaft.

Shaft `45 is `provided, intermediate its length with 4a Y.sprocket ,'15, thempurpose of which will belaterdescribed and also withra spur .gear Il which meshes .with aspur gear 'l mounted on shaft :44 to provide synchronized rotation between'the twov shafts. ,Also mounted o n shaft 45 is a sprocket 19 which serves to receive a cha-in'trained over this sprocket and the drive sprocketdl vonshaft V40Vextending from speedreducingmechanism 3,8 -whereby shafts 45 and 44 are drivenifrorn Vthe motor 30. Also mounted on the shaft "45 .above the .sprocket 'i9 are slip ringsl and 8 2 which are supported by .a circular blockof insulating VAmaterial 83 secured and positiohedion the shaft 45 b y aset lscrew ork the like 34theseslip rings serving to provide velectrical energyforthe heating elementsr'! by means of conductors, not shown, which. extend through the hollow shaft145. Also slip rings lSi and 82 are engaged by brushes, the structure .of which .will be later described.

In. order .to provide a visualindication vof the temperature `of theiroll 65 athermometer 85 is provided with a downwardly extending/,rod 85 mounted within the rholloweshaft v45 there being a temperature responsive element 8'! at the lower endof therod 86 and enclosed within the-connesof sealing roll 65, this vtelnperature responsive .element 81 indicating onthe dial 85 the temperature within roll E5.

The front sealing roll .E4is providedwith a serratedsealing surface en and a heating element 89 :disposed in, an annularrecess .5t within the roll. yThe heating` element@ is held in position by screw-threaded fastening means or the like 9| extendingthrougharear cover plate 52, the upper portion of the roll64 being coveredby a housing '53 in a manner .similar to rear roll `55. Shaft 44 is likewise Hhollow and the roll 64 is secured thereon by screw-threaded fastening means or the likek 94. .A s stated above, shaft 44 is provided .with the spur gear 'I3 which, by meshing with spur gear'l'lon shaft 45, serves to drive shaft 44 and roll 64 vsupported thereby. Secured on shaft44 above theupper. frame member 42 are-slip rings9596 ,and S1 mounted on a cylindrical insulating block 8,3 whichv is fixed on the shaft44 by a `seLSVeIei/vor the like ,5.9. l Slip ringsr95, .95,and 91 serve toprovideelectrical energy for the heating element 89 and also to provide for convenient and accurate control of the temperature of the heating rolls.

The electrical circuit utilized in supplying the heating elements 61 and 89 and controlling the temperature thereof will be later described, but the means for controlling this temperature comprises a thermostat mounted in the rear cover plate 92 of roll 64, this thermostat having an actuating or control pin |0I projecting therefrom, which pin is engaged by a rocker arm |02 projecting from the interior of hollow shaft 44. The inner end of rocker arm |02 is engaged by the head |03 of an elongated rod |04 projecting through the interior of shaft 44 to the upper end thereof, rod |04 being xed to a screwthreaded plug |05 threadedly engaged with the other end of shaft 44. Plug |05 carries a fingerengaging knob |06 fixed thereto by a set screw or the like |01, there being an indicating dial |08 and an index pointer |09 which is xed to the shaft 44 in order to indicate the setting of the thermostat I 00. Rotation vof the knob |06 will rotate the plug |05 and move the same inwardly or outwardly of the shaft 44 thus moving the rod |04 axially and pivoting the rocker arm |02 to move the pin IOI inwardly or outwardly of the thermostat |00 and thus control the point at which the contact points of the thermostat |00 will open or close. It will therefore be obvious that by proper connection of the thermostat |00 and heating elements 61 and 89 together with a source of electrical energy that it will be possible to accurately and conveniently control the temperature within the sealing rolls 64 and 65, this temperature being indicated by the thermometer dial 85. Likewise front sealing roll 64 is provided with a shoulder IIO and an annular flange I I| forming between them an annular groove II2 complementary to the annular groove 14 in rear sealing roll 65 and the purpose of these grooves will be presently described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 10, a pair of spaced parallel elongated flat bars |I3 and I I4 are supported by an elongated yoke I I5 which .f

in turn is secured to the lower frame member 43 projecting from sleeve 23. Bars I|3 and II4 serve to support the feeding mechanism, folding mechanism and the preheater, the details of which will be later described.

Also secured to the lower frame member 43 at the opposite side of the machine are spaced parallel fiat bars I I6 and I I1 which serve to support the feeding means for delivering sealed containers from the apparatus and also the drive i means for such feeding means. Likewise, as shown in Fig. 3, bars I I6 and I I1 serve to support the means for printing information on the sealed containers. Details of this printing mechanism will be later described. The feeding mechanism for conveying containers to and from the sealing rolls 64 and 65 comprises front and rear chains |I8 and IIS respectively. Front chain I|8 is trained around a pulley |20 rotatably mounted on an eccentric stud 2| at the outer end of the bar II3 while the corresponding end of the rear chain ||9 is trained over the pulley |22 mounted on an eccentric stud |23 secured to the rear bar II4. Studs |2| and |23 also serve to rotatably carry pulleys |24 and |25 which receive flexible elastic belts |26 and |21 respectively, the opposite ends of these belts being trained over pulleys |28 and |29 respectively which are mounted on the outer ends of bars |30 and I3I pivotally secured to bars ||3 and II4. Belts |26 and |21 diverge slightly and provide a convenient entrance for the open mouth portions of the containers to be sealed, these belts serving to feed such containers between the conveying chains I I8 and IIB.

The opposite ends of chains |I8 and |I0 are trained over sprockets |32 and |33 which are mounted on vertically disposed shafts |34 and |35 which, as shown in Fig. 4, are journaled for rotation in bars H6 and II1 and in a yoke |30 which is secured to such bars. Shaft |35 is provided at its upper end with a spur gear |31 which meshes with a spur gear |38 secured to shaft |34 there being mounted on shaft |34 above the spur gear |38 a sprocket |39. Sprocket |39 is driven by a chain |40 engaging sprocket 16 mounted on rear roll shaft 45.

The outer run of chain I I8 is trained over idler pulleys |4| and a chain tightening pulley |42 which, as best shown in Fig. 10, is carried by an arm |43 pivotally mounted at |44 on bar II3. A helical spring |45 is secured at one end to the pivot |44 with its opposite end |46 bearing against the bar |43 to urgethe pulley |42 against chain IIS and thus maintain the proper tension therein. Chain II8 is adjusted as to length by movement of the eccentric stud |2| carrying pulley |20.

In a like manner the outer run of rear chain IIS is trained over idler pulleys |41 rotatably mounted on the bar I|4 and over chain-tightening pulley |48 carried by an arm |49 pivotally mounted at |50 on the bar 4. Likewise, secured to the pivot |50 is a helical spring I 5| the opposite end of which |52 bears against the bar |49 to impart the proper tension to the chain I I9. The length of chain IIS is adjusted by eccentric stud |23 for the pulley |22.

As best shown in Figs. 3, 10 and 11 to 14, the inner runs of chains II8 and ||9 are in abutting relationship and serve to receive the containers therebetween to convey the same through the machine. II'hese chains are held in engagement with each other by guide shoes mounted on the bars I|3, II4, ||6 and II1. As shown in Figs. 11 to 14, the guide shoes |53 for the rear chain I9 are secured to the bars I I4 and I I1 by screwthreaded fastening means or the like |54. These guide shoes |53 are of relatively short length and are spaced throughout the length of the machine in order to provide a sufficient area or bearing to keep the chains in engagement throughout substantially the length thereof of the inner runs. The shoes I 53 are provided with longitudinal grooves |55 on the inner face thereof which serve to receive the chain and prevent displacement.

The inner run of the front chain |I8 is held in engagement with the rear chain IIS by shoes I 56 which are slidably supported on the bars I I3 and I|6 by pins |51 carried by blocks |53 which are secured to the bars |I3 and II 6 by screwthreaded fastening means or the like I 59. Shoes |56 are urged inwardly toward the chain IIS by compression springs |60 received on the rods |51. The chains IIB and II9 are held in engagement adjacent the point of tangency of the front and rear sealing rolls 64 and 65 by engaging in the annular grooves 14 and II2. Likewise, the outer runs of chains II8 and I|9 engage in these rooies when passing the rolls, as best shown in Since the containers with which this invention is utilized are made of relatively thin material and since it is highly desirable that the sealed portion have relatively great physical strength it has been found advantageous t'o` fold they mouth r of the container priorr to sealing thereof and' o this purpose there'is' provided adjacent thV trance end/of the machine a'folding'meclia'nisi ISI. This mechanism" is entirely cnventional and since the same'forms no'pa'rt of this inveiition, a detailed description thereof Ais considered unnecessary. A consideration ofFgs. lOtoli Will illustrate the'manner of operation of this folding mechanism;

With sometypes of material it isl necessary to preheat the sarr'e'prior to contactwithth sealing rolls'v in' ordent'o obtainv an eicie'ntrly sealed joint and for"'this reason thereispir-l vided preheating means to heat the foldedfporj tions of the containers in order thatthey may be eiciently sealed by thes'ealin'glrolls. Y'iliis preheating means comprises front and rearhelating shoes |B2`which,` as bestshoivnin Figsf'l() and 11, are sli'dably supported forfinovement toward and frorneachother by pins 4||v3fai`1`cll 64 respectively, slid'ablyreceived inv apertures in portions'of yokell'.V Compression springs |5 and H36 respectively are reeeifved pins |63 and |64" and serve to urgethe 'preheating shoes |t2 toward 'each other.' v

Received within longitudinal recesses Ylli-fl and 59 in shoes |52 are heating eleirentslBBarid lli). These elements serve toA provide necessary heat to the 'shoesl62'vvhereby' uppnljen-f gagement with thematerial of the` container the same is heated suiiiciently'to''provivg'iel an eff cient joint after passing" thrugh.`tne' `f sealing rolls. The temperature of the shoes |u2 controlled by a thermostat |1| frnountedon-one of the shoes lZ and Whichmaybeadjusted/by a linger-engaging knob |12, the temperature of the shoes being indicatedfby atherrnoniete1f|1 mounted on the other'v'shoelBlZf 'I le- `s hoes are of suiicient length to engage 'the material of the container for the desired"length` oftirne with due regardto the speed. of"travel of the conveying chains ||8`a1f1d '||9ld Y .j As stated above, the heati'ngffelernentsfl; and 89 in the rolls 65 and 64,' respectively; aresupf plied with electrical energy` throughfxslipji gs il! and 82 mountedV on shaft45fand `slipurinngs e5, 9e and 9'! mounted'on shaft"44,5%Slip lrings el and 32 are supplied Witlifelectricalenervgy y means of brushes |74 andlvlfi leuslipl ngs S5, 96 and 9? by means of. brushes |16, Ijland H8. All of the brushes areI- slidably mounted in a plate of insulating -rnaterial- `|19 secured by screw-threaded fastening. neansor thedke |80 to a bracket |8| mountedv on upper frame member 42. Brushes |14 and| 5 arehengagled by leaf springs |82 and`|63,frespectivelynwhichy urge these brushes'` against themslipringsj--8l4 and 32 and serve to supply.electrical energy `to h e brushes and through them to theslip jringsI Brushes |165 |11 and 8 arejengaged by-leaf springs |84, |85 and. lrespectivelyan perj form the same function as the springs-andv brushes above described.

A control panel |31' is'fmountedon-the fr ntV of the machine by brackets 4vI881' 'ext'end ingfr the upper and lowerl traine Inembers`42fand` 153. Control panel |81` servesto support afrnotor switch |89, a preheater 'switch' ISBfand'a roll heater switch Il, thelatterfsvvitch ha positions, high and regular."` Alsoprovi'dedon the control panel IS7 are"pilot"lightsl each switch, thesepilot'lightsindica l A thecircuit associatedY With i ftha swish isfen; ergiz'ed. The various circuits bontr'olledby 'the' vifo switches; afsiwn asgthe entire electrical' circuit Vo'f the apparatuswillbe later described;

gfafgernentw 'bythe sealing rolls. Temperature# in eating ns' provided'in order that con-'- tirfi' `check` may" be 'maintained on 'the 'tem-l nera'tnefo`f' b' li the' preheatin'g means and tu@ sealing 110115' in '-or'uer' that adjustments" may b'em'de from' time to i order' to compensate afibnichdllis" S'rrld'ng the machine which 'lid'to afect" the temperature and'rlesult in improper or imperfectseal's'. It liaslike- 'vf "been s e'enthfat tlieispee'd of operation of the xn'ac ne m'ay'be'cbnve'niently controlled by ad# justmentof the drive pulley 3| on the` motor 3`Qja'djthe' pressurel between the sealing rolls and' 65,1nay" be controlled' by adjusijrnent` of efg'aging` knob'Sl` `lfiefIVlirlg again t0" 9,-ii',"W11 b S''l'itht ad' 'Stnil OfftlflefId',55156Vary the pleSll betweentne'roin te and e5 maytend to W"thfe" shaftf44but`o` axial alignment and consequently ad'ju's'tnentio'f the set screvv 5| lto nieveniegan-friction"bearing 41 in recessie Inaybe'neeessary'in order to obtain correct en'- th'efspurl gears 'I'Iandi'll I Y ations'in thickness of the containe'jmateriar takejpiace adjustment of this set scr W 5|"i s "not necessary for such' reason, it on eirig necessary i0' yIriale such adlilislnient Wh en contaihers of Widely different thicknesses are to' be 'sefaled` 'in`the"rna'fc'hi'nell The structure L andi operation A of thefrnecha-v nisfni't" print' thenate orfother information on the" Vea e d"pbrtion` of the container Willl o novv be" described.

.As "best' showin4 in gmethainsrn' comprises a printingucylinder p Inenber- |964' bein'gfprovided with a plurality of aflelili" sleeves, |191 fori receiving type.` las.. Slv? l g4 1S `removablyg.leteives,onf a sleeve. l S9 hayi'ng a sproclfieh glie adjacentA the v lower ,v end Sleeve.; |99; is. .rotatably Supported .by arlitl. x 1lCrLDei1eS .20.1 .on an eccentric .bush-i inie'2i1jwhchisseured,t9 the bar I lv traY .stud bol'ltZ 63 Rotation-of eccentric bushing 2 0 serves t. monies saleevglgisleve Mandrhetype |958/ carried' thereby. treiisveryselypf. the ,ma-chine.

"in'order'to adjustvthe impression made by the wis-enge;

Sprocket 209 engages chain H8 for rotation thereby and .ini order@ :rotate sleeve, 19.4 there sewrdd, ,friQtiQri Weshem .disposed oil-the upperzsllrfa@ Qf .the .sprocket 20.8 and; engaging" th-Werlsurface0i .Sleeve |931. InQrder to. flirteer-iriraselthe friction .between sleeve. 193' alld Wsh.zpyeweghyn: the ferm oa; Cap 21.1.5 .-,1,.S1e1r`1,9veiilypositioned 0n :the upper surf; face or end of sleeve |94. A plurality of sleeves |94 with suitable type |98 inserted in the grooves |91 may be provided for different printing needs, it only being necessary to remove the cap 205 and the sleeve |94 with the type in the grooves |91 and substitute another sleeve in position for printing. This arrangement precludes the necessity for resetting the type each time it is desired to impress different information on the containers being sealed.

Since it is necessary to support the opposite side of the container from that engaged by the type |93 a backing roller 206 of wood or other suitable material is frictionally held on a sleeve 201 having a sprocket 208 at the lower end thereof. The sleeve 201 is rotatably supported by anti-friction bearings 209 on an eccentric bushing 2 I0 which in turn is secured to the bar ||1 by a stud bolt 2||. Adjustment of the eccentric bushing 2I0 serves to move the backing roll 206 toward or from the containers passing through the machine and the backing roller 206 is rotated by engagement of the sprocket 208 with the chain ||9. l

The type |98 are supplied with ink by means of an inking roller shown generally at 2|2, this roller comprising a hub 2|3 rotatably mounted on a pin 2 I4 secured to an arm 2 I5 which in turn is pivotally mounted at 2I6 on bar ||6. The hub 2|3 is provided with a finger-engaging knob 2|1 whereby the inking roller may be conveniently removed and replaced on the pin 2 I4. Received about the circumference of the hub 2|3 is an inking pad 2|8 of sponge rubber, cellulose sponge or other suitable material which retains suilicient ink for many impressions. The position of the inking roll 2|2 with relation to the type |98 is controlled by an adjusting screw 2|9 threadedly received in an ear 220 on bar |I6. There is also provided a finger-engaging knob 22| on the screw 2|9 in order to facilitate adjusting the same and the inking roller 2 I2 is resiliently urged into engagement with the type |98 by a coil spring 222 received about the adjusting screw 2 I 9 and engaging the arm 2 I5 on which the inking roller 2|2 is rotatably mounted.

The type cylinder |93 is intended to make one revolution for each container to be printed and the mechanism for controlling this one revolution is best shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The collar `|95 mounted on the sleeve |94 is provided with 'Y an upstanding pin 223 which, when in the position shown in Fig. 6, is engaged by a hook 224 forming part of an arm 225 of the armature 226 of a solenoid 221. The arm 225 and hook 224 are held in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 by a tension spring 228. With the hook 224 engaging the pin 223, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the sleeve |93 and type |98 carried thereby are stationary but due to the frictional engagement through washer 204 with sprocket 200, the sleeve |99 and sprocket 200 continue to rotate by reason of the engagement of sprocket 200 with chain I I6. Upon movement of the hook 224 and arm 225 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the printing cylinder |93 is permitted to revolve through the frictional engagement between sleeve |94, washer 204 and sprocket 200.

The operation of solenoid 221 and arm 225 which carries hook 224 is controlled by a switch 229 adjustably secured on a rod 230 by a thumb screw 23|. The switch 229 is provided with a trigger 232 which projects into the path of movement of containers passing through the machine after they have contacted the sealing rolls 64 and 65, actuation of the switch 229 by such contact with the trigger 232 serving to energize the solenoid 221 and move the arm 225 and hook 224 into the dotted line position, as shown in Fig. 6. Immediately upon the container passing the trigger 232, the same is released to open the circuit to solenoid 221 and the arm 225 and hook 224 return to the full-line position, as shown in Fig. 6, and contacts pin 223 to stop rotation of the sleeve |94 and type |95 carried thereby after completing one revolution. In the event an extremely wide bag or container or a strip of material are fed through the machine, the printing cylinder |93 will continue to rotate until the trigger 232 is released opening the circuit to the solenoid 221.

Since there will be times when it is not desired to utilize the printing mechanism, there is provided an on-off switch 233 connected in the solenoid control circuit whereby with this switch in the off position, the solenoid 221 will not be energized upon actuation of the trigger 232 and, consequently, the type cylinder |93 will remain at rest. When it is desired to utilize the printing mechanism, it is only necessary to move the switch 233 to on position, at which time the printing mechanism will operate as described above.

It is also proposed to provide a punching mechanism for punching an aperture in the sealed portion `of the container, which punching mech- -anism may be substituted for the printing mechanism above described. Also to be later described is a combined punching mechanism and printing mechanism which may be supplied with the machine described above. In order to provide for convenient interchangeability, the bars |I6 and ||1 which are connected at their outer ends by yoke |36 are also connected at their inner ends by integral frame member 234 which may be secured to the lower frame member 43 of the sealing mechanism by screw-threaded fastening means or the like 235. Fastening means 235 serve to receive elongated slots 236 in the frame member 234 and adjusting screws 231 are threaded through the vertical portion of the frame 234 and engage the frame of the sealing apparatus to properly adjust the frame 234 and bars ||6 and |I1 with relation to the frame in order to provide proper tension in chains ||8 and |I9.

The punching mechanism comprises a casting 239 extending transversely of the machine and pivotally mounted on a stud 240 extending from the bar I I6. The casting 239 is provided with a vertically disposed transverse slot 24| located in the path of the movement of the container being sealed. The casting 239 is also provided with an aperture 242 extending at substantially right angles to the slot 24| and intersecting the same. In the aperture 242 is slidably disposed a punch 243 which may be of circular or any other desired formation. Punch 243 is provided at its outer end with a head 244 and between this head and the casting 239 is disposed a compression spring 245 which nor- 1 mally retains the punch in retracted position,

:zg-rsestesa received in` a' block 251 andlockedin adjusted position by a lock nut 252'.' Block 25| issecured to the armature 2530i a'solen'oid 254'also' mount# ed on the casting' 2391' The' armature 253" is providedwith al crossebar 255 which `slides Ybetween guides 255 andserves to limit reciprocating movement of the solenoid" armature'253 and" the block 255.

As will be seen from an inspection of 'Figs'. 16' and k17, movement 'of "thev solenoid armature 253 toward the left will actuate the rocker arm 2ll3 to move the punchA 2-t3'inwardly; andA punch an aperture in the sealedmouth 257 ofv the containerf'IS, the mouth' 251 being 'disposed' in' the slot'ZI in the casting-239i Movementof'the solenoidarmature 253 toward the right,` as Aviewed in Figs. 16' and 17,` will' resultfinY retraction vci the punch 2&3 by' means' of the compression spring 2135. Entry'of the bag-mouth '251 into the slot 263i is facilitated by' curved surfaces 258 formed on ears 253 projecting from thel casting 239 atA the right-handsidevthereof,.as viewed in Fig;

Since the containers IS'al-e in motion during the time that the punch 2431s operating, it becomes necessary for thev complete punch assembly to mover withsuch containers in order to prevent tearing of the materialA of `the contai-ner adjacent theV aperture' provided by the punch 233. 'Ihis'is accomplished' much inthe manner of the well-khown'yingshear. In this instance the casting239 is permitted to pivot about the stud 2f20and since, as shown in Fig. 15, the punchingV mechanism isdisposed transversely of the direction-of travel'of the containers I9 immediately upon the punch 243 engaging the mouth portion 251 of thecontain'ers I9; the punch pivot in a 'counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 15, thereby traveling.. With the movingcontainer Vuntil the punchV 243 is retracted from the material ofthe-container I9; YAfter completion of the'punching operation and -withdrawal of the'punch 243, thecasting- 239is returned to its original position b'yresilient means suchas a spring 26fattached thereto, the -po- L sition of the punch, when inoperative; being'determined by a stop; 26| adjustably secured on a rod- 262 by a set screwor the like-263.x

Theoperation of the'solenoid 25d/is'controlled by a switch 23d adjustably'securedon a rod 235 y by a thumb screw 269: Switch 23d is provided with a trigger'2'lil'which projectsinto the path of movement oi"V the mouth- 251 of the-container I9 and upon contact with the'triggerl 210 operates the switch Zftorenergize'thef'solenoid 254. Solenoid 256i receives its electrical'energy from a relay 2H, the operation'of 'which' is controlled by means of switch `llffrofm a dry disc-type rectier 212. The operationV of` the rectier and relay in the electrical circuit willbelaterdescribed.

In order to render' the punching' means inoperative, there is provided"an:"o1on'switch 273 which, when. in the oi position,` prevents the fiow of electricalenergy'to the 'solenoid 251i even though the switch` 234" may beactuated and when in the on position, thezsolenoidand punch operate as described above.`

If desired, the printing mechanismandpunch may be combined into :one .unittofbe 'applied to the basic'sealing vmachine and the structurepf this combinedl untis best shown4 in Fig; 18. This unit comprises' bars 2.14 and"2'l5"which are similar to bars I I5 'andl Il althoughicon'siderably longer and 'are vconnectecb'y' yokes `215 and" Y2 Tl,

F4 there "being'an" upstandingiframe- 213 attne 'opi--i posite ends ofthe bars 214"and 215i Frame 218 is provided withelongatedslots- Z'IQWhich-iree ceive the bolts' 235 on the'sealing-machine and serve to clamp the unit'inz place:v i

When using the combinedprintingandpu'nche ing unit, the chains I I8and 'I I9 are-,considerably longer and 'these are driven" fromy sprockets 'on shafts 28d' and 28I which are"provicledwith" meshing spur gears"282 and 283'" respectively. Also providedon shaft 28|'isarspro'clretl 284 which receives' chainv 285 trained` overa sprocket on shaft |313: Shaft |311u is'driven byfsprock'et and chain |405' When it is desiredto usefthecombined printwV ing and punchingmechanism it 7is only/necessary to' removeeither thepunching, or the *printing* mechanism, .depending on vwhich is im service; and substitute `the"`co1`nbined "mechanism therel for at the samei time attaching?the-"elongated chains IIS and II'9. Thismechansm; together with the basic sealing. machine; provides one apparatus Jan' eiicient sealing-mechanism; means for printing"informationv such as yfdates; etc. on sealedV containers; andv means for 'punchingian aperture in the'contain'er to facilitate supporti-ng the same frornfa display lstandor Ithe lik'ef Obviously, vthis mechanism* may `'be attached to the basic sealing machine without inianyway?altering the'same.-

With some types of'E thermoplastic f materials it is necessary tojretain rthe Seal'diportions fin. tight engagementfor the periodlof'ftinieafter being, subjectedI yto the action'f ofv` heatj -andfpressure and vfor use-with'- thesefmate'rials there has been' provided laA-unit which may be 1- attachedto thev basicI sealing machine'muchx ,inf thei manner ci the` combined-'printing' andfpunching.' unit' abovedescribed; This may beterm'edfWa-lcom' pressing` and coolingunit `and1icomp`risesbars 285 and 281-,V which are` similar to bars?ZI'lflan'd- 215 ofY the combined' printing"andfpunchinglunit,= bars 28@ y'and '281 Ebeing connected-'byyokesZ and `2 B at oneendf thereof andi-'by' fupstan'ding frame Zat theyopposite-'lendi Frame-i-290f-`is provided Iwith elongated? slots fZQI fior receiving bolts 23a/for securing the unittoithelfsealing machine. The compressingand'cooling.' unit is best shown in'fFigs.' 19 'an'dZO and includes a pair or opposedlV-belt's 292 andr`293l trainedover pulleys 235 lfand-i255respectively; these-pulleys being carried by ecentriclmountin'gsiZSB an'di29l in order to provide proper tension linlthei'belts The oppositeends of belts '292 and 293 fareftrai'ned over pulleys'238f and zgimountedfbn shafts -I35` and IM respectively,v these shafts Aandpulleys being driven by i sprocket I 34 fand` chain' |1105? In order to maintain' the1belts'292"fandf 293 in tightr engagernentwith4 the-'sealed 'mouth' por-- tions 257' of the containers 1- ISJbeingY carried through the machine, vtherefmay'be provided backingy plates 'or shoes 300A and* 30|', which are slidably supported by pinsi' 3.02 Xed fto4 ears" 303 extending from thebars1285jand28l; Theshoes 38e and 33| are'held engagement'withfthe belts by compression' springs 304" receivedT about* the pins 302. An additional` pair of"'belts" 385 and 396 are disposed*directly:below'belts'292 andv 293 and the latterjbeltsare trainedtaround pulleys SG1 and 308 mount'ed'onshafts"|35' and IM, respectively.

In operation, as the sealed containers'passfrom betweenV the sealing `rolls they `are'carried -be tween` the Jbelts -292, 253?, r 305 and306 iandf'b'e' cause'y or" the-pressure" exertedonitliesetbeits"by the shoes 300 and 30|, the sealed openings oi. the containers are held in tight engagement for an appreciable period of time to cool and set the seal of such containers. This provides for the required cooling and pressing time with certain types of materials and results in a seal which does not become separted at a later date.

The electrical circuit for supplying power and controlling the operation of the sealing apparatus of this invention is schematically shown in Fig. 21 and includes power supply leads 309 and 3|0. Power supply lead 3I0 is provided with a branch lead 3|| which connects to drive motor 30 and lead 3|0 also connects to motor pilot light |92. Power supply lead 309 is connected to one contact of motor switch |89 and the opposite contact 3|2 is connected to lead 3|3 to the motor 30. Closing of switch |89 energizes the notor 30 and sets the apparatus in operation and at the same time motor pilot light |92 is illuminated to indicate that power is being supplied to the drive motor.

From power supply lead 309 a wire 3|4 leads to one contact 3|5 of preheater switch |90, the opposite contact of this switch extending through a lead 3|6 to one contact of thermostat |1|. The opposite contact 3|1 of thermostat |1| is connected through wire 3|8 to preheating elements |68 and |10. Contact 3|1 of thermostat I1| is also connected through wire 3 I9 to the preheater pilot light |92. Power supply lead 3|0 connects through wire 320 with preheater pilot light |92 and also through wire 32| with the opposite side of the preheater coil |68 and |10. It will thus be seen that operation of thermostat |1| serves to open and close the circuit to preheating coils |68 and |10 thus supplying energy thereto in accordance with the temperature setting of the thermostat |1|. Operation of the thermostat to open and close the circuit to the coils |68 and |10 also opens and closes the circuit to preheater pilot light |92, thus giving visual indication as to when the preheating coils are energized or de-energized.

Power supply lead 309 is connected through wires 3I4 and 322 to one contact 323 of a normally open relay 324. Wire 322 is also connected to one side of the coil 325 forming the solenoid of relay 324 and when energized serves to actuate the movable contact 326 to closed position. The

other contact 321 of relay 324 is connected by a wire 328 to one movable contact of a double pole double throw switch |9|.

The heating element 89 in the front sealing roll 64 is provided with electrical energy from the slip rings 95, 96 and 91 mounted on shaft 44, slip ring 95 being connected to one sideof the heating element 89 through a conductor 330, the opposite side of the heating element 89 being connected through a wire 33| with the slip ring 96. The thermostat disposed in the front roll 64 has one contact 332 connected to the wire 33| and the opposite contact 333 connected by a wire 334 with the slip ring 91.

The heating element 61 disposed in the rear sealing roll 65 is provided with electrical energy from the slip rings 8| and 82 mounted on shaft 45, one side of the element 61 being connected by a wire 335 with slip ring 8| and the ppposite side of the element 61 being connected with slip ring 82 by a wire 336. Slip rings 95, 96 and 91 are contacted by brushes |16, '|11 and |18 re spectively, while slip rings 8l and 82 are contacted by brushes |14 and |15 respectively. The second movable contact 331 on the double pole double throw switch |9| is connected through a wire 338 with the brush |11 engaging slip rings 96 and through a wire 339 with the roll pilot light |92 and through wire 340 and wire 320 with the supply lead 3|0. Contact 34| of switch |9| is connected by a wire 342 with contact 343 which in turn is connected by a wire 344 with brush |14 engaging slip ring 8|. Contact 345 of switch |19 is connected through wire 346 with roll pilot light |92, through wire 341 with brush |15 in contact with slip ring 82 and through wire 348 with brush |16 in contact with slip ring 95. No connection is made to contact 349 of the switch |9| and this contact plays no part in the control or operation of the apparatus. Brush |18 in contact with slip ring 91 is connected by a wire 350 with the coil 325 of relay 324. In order to prevent excessive arcing between the contacts 332 and 333 of thermostat |00, a .1 mfd. condenser 35| is connected across the brushes |11 and |18 in contact with slip rings 96 and 91 which in turn are connected across the contacts 332 and 333 of the thermostat |00. This condenser materially increases the life of the thermostat contact points.

Assuming the sealing machine of this invention to be at rest and the heating elements 89 and 61 in the rolls 64 and 65 to be cold, the operation of the electrical supply and control circuit thus far described is as follows: Current is supplied through lead 309 and 3|0 and the motor 30 may be turned on or off at will by operation of the motor control switch |89. Current will further iiow from lead 309 through wire 3| 4 and wire 322 through the coil 325 of solenoid 324 to actuate the movable contact 326. thus closing the contacts 323 and 321, since the complete circuit of the coil 325 will be through conductor 350 to brush |18 engaging slip ring ,91 through conductor 324 to the contact 333 of thermostat |00 and since in the cold condition of the heating elements the thermostat will be closed, current will ow through contact 332, wire 33|, slip ring 96, brush |11 and wires 338, 339, 340 and 320 to the opposite supply lead 3|0.

Assuming the double pole double throw switch 9| to be in the high or upper position, as shown in Fig. 21, current will ilow from contact 321 of relay 324 through wires 328 to movable contact 329 of the switch 9| and through contact 345 and wire 341 to brush |15 in contact with slip ring 82, and through wire 348 to brush |16 in contact with slip ring 95. Contact 345 also connects through wire 346 with the roll pilot light |92 and will serve to energize the same with the switch in the position above described. Energy will ow from the slip ring through wire 330 to heating element 89 and the return circuit through wire 33|, through slip ring 96, brush |11 in Contact therewith and wire 338 which connects to the supply lead 3| 0. The circuit for heating element 61 is from slip ring 82 through wire 336 and return through wire 335 to slip ring 8|, brush |14 and wire 344, contact 343 of the switch 9|, which, when in high position, connects movable contacts 331 with contacts 343. and thus through wire 339 connects with the opposite side of the supply lead 3|0.

With the switch |9| in the above-described position the heating elements 61 and 89 will continue to supply heat until the temperature of the rolls 64 and 65 reaches the point at which the thermostat |00 is set at which time the contacts 332 and 333 will separate, thus de-energizing the coil 325 of relay 324 and opening the contacts 323 and 321 ,to interrupt the vflowv of curfent'tthe heating ele 4ents 61 and $9'.

' V'Vli'th"the"double pole double throvv s witch ISI in 'the' regular' lor lower' position' as shown in Fig. '21, current will flovv Vfrom'mintact3?1'throug h Wire`328 to the movable contact3'29uof the switch |91', thencethrough'contact y34HWire'3 4? and Wire 3,44' to brush l14"'tvhich engages slip` ring 8]', thence through conductor 335` to the heating elements' 61 and through' 'conductor 336 to the slip'rin'g 8 2v and' ,brush |15 in engagement theref with. From "brush `|15` 'eiectrical "energy otvs through 'wheels to brush yms'ih oh1 act with slip 'ring 95 and'.through vvire 3350 to -.heating eleinent' 8'9,v the' return'ci'rcuit being through v vire 33I` to 'slip ring S 6"and brush v1,11 and through Wirej'33z8f to the opposite'supply4 lead 3M). 'Ijhis position of the switch l.9l"p1aces the heating elin'ents `,61 and `89 in series .thusresultingin a lovver 'Wattage "consumption and', consequently, lower potential heat the rolls, s4 arides. As he re', "tne't'emprature`vvill` be controlled byv opening and closin'go'f .the thermostat '|00 :which controls prationbf the relay V32I1'a'nd the supply .of current to the heating elements. The 'al supplyand 'control 'slysteinfabove described 'is ,A atively siinpleand adequately con-j 4 u 'tihiofthje seahhgihachihe ofthis ivnuh.. A. ,i ,4 "l'le 'control circuit for ,the printing apparatus receives Aenergy from supply lead 53 0.9 'through yvie 314 .Which connects to' onefcontact 3.52 of the switch Y22s whicjhis hormaliy eheh; The 0ppcsitegcohtaht 353er switch zzsoohiiects through ire ssi trahthejcoii 'of-,the spiehoid :221. .The opposite side'f 'the coil'ofv thesolenoid"221 conhcts'to ri'cohtactjass of foh-cirzswitch 233, the" opposite v,side of this 'switch Connecting through' a lead '3,56 and 'a'iivire 3,51, with 'the' opposite'powersupply'lead 3| 0."Closing of the Rectifier 212 will convert this alternating current to direct 'current and charge Athe"condiensei: 361. 'Upon 'passage' of a'seale'd ycontainer through the apparatus'and contact vvith the trigger 21:0 of switch 264,'the contact .368 lvvill be moved from contact 363 to Contact 310, thus discharging the condenser' 361 through solenoid 365 of relay 21| momentarily energizing the saine and actuating the 'movable'contact'366 -to close the contacts v36|] and 361' and thus energizing the solenoid 2514 to actuate the' punch. Upon release of the trigger 21,0 by passage of the container the contact 368 will movebackinto contact With thecontact 3 63 and recharge the condenser 361 in preparation for the next cycle of operation. llhis circuit results 'in momentary actuation of the punching mechanism and precludes the necessity of. s upplyings'vvitching means to turn the solenoid 316,5 of the 'relay .onand "foffj since this operation' i's performed by charging and discharging the condenser 36,1. Automatic control of the punch system is thus provided and the same may be rendered operative or inoperative by actuation of the on`or oifs'vvitch i213.

It Will'be seen thatvvby the above invention there has been, provided e, relatively simple, ,vet compact and Yhighly eilicient sealing apparatus in' Awhich .thermoplastic containers may be automatically fed into the sealing machine, atyvhich time "the geen mouths .ef the contamersiare folded 'and passed between preheating 'means which supplies the necessary heat tosoften the thermoplastic material after which thecontainers pass between thesealing rolls which are heated to the desired temperature, lthese rolls supplying the necessary heat and pressure to' effectthe seal. If the material is of the type which requires additional pressure after being subjected t0 the action of, thesealing rolls, .the apparatus contemplates the provision ofA pressing Vand cooling means, as described above, which 'Will effect Suche cempleteseal- Also, asA stated above, means yis conveniently D lOVided t0 imprint a date or other information on the sealed container and ,this is actuated by contact of the container itself passing .through the machine with the trigger of alswi'tch which sets in inction the printing apparatus after which the printing is l automatically completed. Where it is also desired to provide an aperture in the container to facilitate supporting' the saine on a display vraclror the like, 4a punching means is provided which is also automatically actuated by the contact ofthe containerlvvith the trigger of a switch, at which ,time a solenoid` actuated punch is opeltd to punch a hole in the Vcon-- tainer and, as described aboveduringithe punching cperation, the punch moves with' the contellfl in Order to preclude any tearing of the materiel thereot Theeperation or therprinuns mechanism and punching mechanism is entirely @Uma-'ile either .0.17 .both of these ,mechamme may ce .rendered Operative ,er inooeratire at Will merely by astilatne the proper swthes. uit if be, 951419145 t0 hQSe Skilled in the art :at verifies. cheeses .may be made in the inventeil Witheet dsiartirlefrem the Spirit and. ,scope thereof andthereiore the invention is not limited by 'their eh iS ShQWDiIl `the ,Gray/.ings and describedin `the specification but onlyas indiaed. Lia' the appended Claires `'irl/vliet"'is cla'irned is:

1 Assegna rimane and punching machine fer thermeelaetie eeataioerscemorisine in eembination a hase, a frarne attached tor-said hase, 

